Aromatherapy/chromotherapeutic system for tubs and method

ABSTRACT

A system for creating a vapor in the surroundings of a tub. The system comprises a reservoir for receiving a substance. The reservoir is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a tub. A vapor creating device changes the substance to a vapor. An outlet is associated with the vapor creating device for directing the vapor in the surroundings of the tub. The substance is aromatic. A light source is optionally provided so as to diffuse light in the vapor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/557,680, filed on Mar. 31, 2004, by the present applicants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to washing/bathing tubaccessories and, more particularly, to an aromatherapy system to be usedin conjunction with tubs, such as bathtubs, spas, pools, etc. Thearomatherapy system of the present invention also optionally involveschromotherapy.

2. Background Art

Tubs are well known for their primary use, namely a washroominstallation in which a user person washes, bathes. Tubs have howeverevolved to add relaxation and comfort to practicality, and are found inmany forms, such as bathtubs, spas, whirlpools. For instance, tubs arenow provided with air jet systems, whirlpool systems.

In order to increase the level of relaxation of bathers, there areprovided systems that enhance the senses of the bather. Bathingtypically procures stimulation of the sense of touch, by the temperatureand feel of the water on the skin. The air jet systems and whirlpoolsystems increase the stimulation of the sense of touch by creatingturbulences in the vicinity of the skin of the bather.

Various systems and apparatuses are used in order to involve othersenses during the bathing period. For instance, waterproof radios andthe like are more present adjacent to bathtubs. Aromatic oils come innumerous aromas. The tubs remain however limited in the enhancing ofother senses.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an aromatherapy systemthat creates an odorous or chromotherapeutic vapor in the surroundingsof a tub.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a systemcreating a colored vapor in the surroundings of a tub.

It is as still further aim of the present invention to provide a methodfor creating an aromatic/chromotherapeutic vapor in the surroundings ofa tub.

It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide a methodfor creating a colored fog/spray in the surroundings of a tub.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided asystem for creating a vapor in the surroundings of a tub, comprising: areservoir for receiving a substance and adapted to be positionedadjacent to a tub; a vapor creating device for changing the substance toa vapor; and an outlet associated with the vapor creating device fordirecting the vapor in the surroundings of the tub.

Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided amethod for creating a vapor in the surroundings of a tub, comprising thesteps of: providing a reservoir with a substance to be changed to avapor; creating the vapor with the substance; and directing the vapor inthe surroundings of the tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way ofillustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aromatherapy system in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as mounted to atub;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the aromatherapy system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the aromatherapy system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the aromatherapy system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view, taken along cross-section lines V-V ofFIG. 4, of the aromatherapy system.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIG. 1, anaromatherapy system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is generally shown at 10, as mounted to a tub A. InFIG. 1, the aromatherapy system 10 is supported in a hole in the tubwall.

Referring concurrently to FIGS. 2 to 5, the aromatherapy system 10 has aretention casing 12, a substance reservoir 13 within the casing 12, anatomizer device 14 in the substance reservoir 13 (FIG. 5), and a cover15, upon an open end of the substance reservoir 13.

Referring to FIG. 5, the retention casing 12 has a concavity 20. Theconcavity 20 has an open upper end 21 and a closed bottom end 22. Aflange 23 projects radially at the open upper end 21 of the concavity20. By way of the flange 23, the retention casing 12 sits on theperiphery of the opening in the tub wall. An opening 24 is defined inthe closed bottom end 22 of the concavity 20.

The retention casing 12 is provided so as to support the substancereservoir 13 with respect to the tub A. Moreover, the retention casing12 will receive leaks of substance from the substance reservoir 13. Theretention casing 12 may consist of any suitable plastic material,composite, metal (e.g., ferrous or non-ferrous), wood, preferably with awatertight finish. The retention casing 12 may be secured to the tub Aby adhesives or mechanical fasteners. For instance, the retention casing12 is sealed to the tub A.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the substance reservoir 13 is shown having aconcavity 30. The concavity 30 of the substance reservoir 13 is sized soas to be removably nested in the concavity 20 of the retention casing12. The concavity 30 has an open upper end 31 and a closed bottom end32. A rim 33 is provided at the open upper end 31 and projects radiallytherefrom. The rim 33 accommodates the flange 23 of the retention casing12, such that liquid on the tub wall cannot readily infiltrate betweenthe retention casing 12 and the substance reservoir 13. The rim 33 has asupport surface 34 at the periphery of its open upper end 31. A sealingplug 35 is optionally provided in a wall of the concavity 30, such thatwiring may enter the concavity 30 from the retention casing 12.

The substance reservoir 13 receives an aromatic substance B, as well asan atomizer 40 of the atomizer device 14. The substance reservoir 13 mayconsist of any suitable plastic material, composite, metal (e.g.,ferrous or non-ferrous), wood, with a watertight body or finish. Thesubstance reservoir 13 is removably secured to the retention casing 12,for instance by various securing systems, such as threading/tapping,releasable clamps, mechanical fasteners or the like. As the substancereservoir 13 is removable from the retention casing 12, the concavity 20may be washed, or drained from liquid retained therein.

Referring to FIG. 5, the atomizer device 14 is shown having an atomizer40 supported by the closed bottom end 32 of the substance reservoir 13.Therefore, the atomizer 40, in FIG. 5, is immersed into the aromaticsubstance B. The atomizer 40 optionally has a light emitting device,emitting light of a given color (e.g., using color lenses).Alternatively, the light emitting device has a light emitting diode(LED) emitting light of one or more colors.

A level switch 41 is mounted to the atomizer 40, and is triggered whenthe level of substance B is below a threshold level, for instance toturn off the actuation of atomizer 40. Alternatively, an indicatorsignal may be emitted to indicate that the substance level in thesubstance reservoir 13 has reached the threshold level. For instance,the indicator signal may be a flashing light emission from the atomizer40. Moreover, although the atomizer 40 is described as potentiallyhaving a light source, the aromatherapy system 10 may be provided with alight source separated from the atomizer 40.

A wire 42 is connected to atomizer 40 so as to provide power thereto. Anelectric plug 43 is optionally provided at a free end of the wire 42. Itis pointed out that the configuration of the aromatherapy system 10takes into account the fact that electric power is used within a liquidreservoir (i.e., the substance reservoir 13), and adjacent to a tub.Accordingly, all safety measures are taken into consideration so as toprevent any electric hazard.

A sealing plug 44 is provided on the wire 42. The sealing plug 44 issized so as to be fitted within the opening 24 in the concavity 20, suchthat any liquid retained by the retention casing 12 remains thereinto,while the wire 42 passes through the opening 24 to reach a power source.

Moreover, the wire 42 may be used in conjunction with the sealing plug35 to reach the atomizer 40 in the substance reservoir 13, whereby thesealing plug 35 is shown in FIG. 5 although not being used. Analternative solution, illustrated in FIG. 5, consists of providing theclosed bottom end of the concavity 30 of the substance reservoir 13 witha hole (not shown) directly under the atomizer 40, with the atomizer 40preventing the substance B from draining through this hole.

The atomizer 40 atomizes substance B by way of ultrasounds, byevaporation, by vaporization, or any other suitable way of atomizing,evaporating or vaporizing, so as to create an odorous vapor, fog orspray in the surroundings of the aromatherapy system 10, and of the tubA.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cover 15 is shown having a body 50. As the body50 is visible from an exposed surface of the tub A, it is given adecorative shape. In the present figures, the body has a generallyhemispherical shape, with openings 51 defined therein, such thatatomized substance B may exit the aromatherapy system 10 to reach thesurroundings of the tub A.

As mentioned previously, the aromatherapy system 10 may be provided witha light source (e.g., within the substance reservoir 13), whereby thecover 15 is preferably made of a translucent material, to enable lighttransmission (e.g., diffusion, refraction). The cover 15 may also addcolor to the light, by being tinted or colored. The cover 15 alsogenerally shields the concavity 30 from water infiltration (e.g., fromthe tub A). Although water may infiltrate the concavity 30 through theopening 51 in the cover, the cover 15 will deflect some of the water(e.g., resulting from a splash) away. The openings 51 will guide theatomized substance B out of the aromatherapy system 10.

Therefore, a vapor, fog or spray of the aromatic substance B will becreated in the surroundings of the aromatherapy system 10 (e.g., tub A).Light emitted by the aromatherapy system 10 will be diffused by thevapor, fog or spray. Accordingly, a bather will be surrounded by thearomatic fog, and will be subjected to chromotherapy, by the light ofvarious colors that will be diffused by the aromatic fog, to enhance thestate of relaxation of the bather.

Although the aromatherapy system 10 is illustrated as secured to anopening in a wall of the tub A, the aromatherapy system 10 may be aself-contained system adjacent to the tub A, or part of furniture, suchas cabinet. The aromatherapy system 10 may also be mounted to a shelf, acounter or any other like surface. The tub A is typically any one of abathtub, a spa, a pool, a basin.

It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obviousmodifications of the embodiments described herein, provided suchmodifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A system for creating a vapor in the surroundings of a tub,comprising: a reservoir for receiving a substance and adapted to bepositioned adjacent to a tub; a vapor creating device for changing thesubstance to a vapor; and an outlet associated with the vapor creatingdevice for directing the vapor in the surroundings of the tub.
 2. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the substance is aromatic.
 3. Thesystem according to claim 1, further comprising a light source so as todiffuse light in the vapor.
 4. The system according to claim 1, whereinthe vapor creating device is an atomizer.
 5. The system according toclaim 4, wherein the vapor creating device is actuated through a feedwire projecting from a bottom end of the reservoir, so as to beconcealed under the reservoir.
 6. The system according to claim 4,further comprising a level switch for indicating a low level of thesubstance in the reservoir.
 7. The system according to claim 6, whereinthe level switch has a light source so as to signal a low level byemitting a light signal.
 8. The system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a retention casing in which the reservoir is removablynested, so as to collect leaks from the reservoir.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the retention casing has a peripheralflange at an open top end, by which the retention casing is supported toan opening in a tub wall.
 10. The system according to claim 9, whereinthe reservoir has a decorative rim concealing the flange of theretention casing.
 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein thereservoir has an open top end, and a decorative cover is provided togenerally cover the open top end.
 12. The system according to claim 11,wherein the outlet is an opening between the reservoir and thedecorative cover.
 13. The system according to claim 11, wherein thereservoir has an open top end, and a decorative cover is provided togenerally cover the open top end, the decorative cover consisting of atranslucent material for light to pass therethrough.
 14. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the system is mounted to a tub wall.
 15. Amethod for creating a vapor in the surroundings of a tub, comprising thesteps of: providing a reservoir with a substance to be changed to avapor; creating the vapor with the substance; and directing the vapor inthe surroundings of the tub.
 16. The method according to claim 15,further comprising the step of diffusing light in the vapor.
 17. Themethod according to claim 15, wherein the substance is aromatic, wherebya scent is created by the vapor in the surroundings of the tub.